Washed out roads and bridges, damaged shelters, overflowing latrines—monsoon weather engenders physical disaster among refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. Beyond the need for repairs, destroyed infrastructure has a hidden, human cost: serious health implications for the Rohingya and host communities.

Immediate trauma and illness accompany such catastrophe, and in the long-run, when ambulances can’t maneuver muddy roads or facilities remain without power, disrupted health care endangers lives. At particular risk are women in need of reproductive health care.

Direct Relief’s long-time partner the HOPE Foundation, which is based in Cox’s Bazar and specializes in maternal and child health care, has established itself in the camps to provide for expectant mothers and the Rohingya at-large. When the Government of Bangladesh opened their borders to the Rohingya, the HOPE Foundation opened their doors.

The one-hour drive from HOPE Hospital (the northernmost site) to Kutupalong Balukhali Expansion Site’s northern border is over 20 miles. HOPE strives to offer continuous care for patients by operating a range of facilities within the camps, including mobile clinics and the new 24-hour field hospital.

Providers treat most patients at one of these various facilities. The new field hospital expands HOPE’s capacity for care, and sound construction means its doors will stay open.

“The drainage network of the HOPE Field Hospital for Women was found to be very efficient,” reported HOPE Country Director and Commander (Ret.) Ferdous Muhammed. “I am happy to report there was no waterlogging in, or outside, the hospital.”